Dad hadn’t expected him at all and I think it might have shook him a little. “Come in, come in. Your mother’s not home,” He led us inside. “But I’m guessing this surprise visit shouldn’t involve her anyway.”

“How is she?”

“She’s had years to get used to it. You’re the ones that have had to learn all this on such short notice. And for that, I’m sorry.” We all sat at the kitchen table. “Judging by the shape you two are in, Las Vegas. Was that your work?”

“Afraid so,” I answered.

Dad looked at Mosh. “You too?”

Mosh nodded quickly. “A little.”

“He saved a lot of lives,” I said. “We wouldn’t have made it without him.”

“I’m proud of you, son.” Auhangamea Pitt said to my brother for probably the first and only time in his life. “I’m proud of you for that, and I’m proud of you for having the guts to come here today.” Mosh had to look away, blinking rapidly.

My father turned back to study me for a long time. “Something’s changed since I saw you last, Owen.”

“We lost people,” I said simply.

“Naw…That’s not it. You’ve lost people before.” He shook his head. “But this time was different. Either you sent them or something you did made it happen. I can see it in your eyes.”

My voice cracked. “How can you know?”

“Because, son, I see that exact same thing I see on your face right now every single time I look in the mirror. It’s a heavy burden, and it don’t ever go away. You do what you have to do. Leadership is a hell of a thing.”

I rubbed my face. “I can’t—”

“They won’t be the last,” he promised. “That’s war, and yours is just beginning.”

“I know it is,” I answered. “But we’ve got a lot bigger army than I thought. There’s legions of us.”

The men of the Pitt family sat at that table for a while, mulling that over. Dad waited patiently to begin. He’d already waited most of his life for this moment.

It was time to fulfill his destiny.

It was time for me to start mine.

“Dad, it’s time we talk…”

END